Cervical screening and the Nurse: current and future directions Dr Lara Roeske
A specialist gynecological pathology laboratory Cervical cytology 300,000 per annum, predominantly conventional Cervical histopathology HPV testing A state based Pap test registry Follow up, reminders Supports programme monitoring and evaluation Provides framework for quality monitoring of laboratories A national register recording HPV dose information Course completion statements Reminder functions Supports programme monitoring and evaluation
Worldwide prevalence of cervical cancer Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer affecting women worldwide and the third most common cause of cancer death Cervical cancer is most prevalent in developing countries of Asia and Africa
WHERE ARE WE NOW IN AUSTRALIA? Australia has amongst the lowest incidence and mortality in the world following the successful introduction of organised screening 20 years ago.
13.2 6.9 6.9 4.0 1.9 Source: AIHW (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare) & AACR (Australasian Association of Cancer Registries) 2008. Cancer in Australia: an overview, 2008. Cancer series no. 46. Cat. no. CAN 42.Canberra: AIHW.
International comparisons Incidence of cervical cancer and mortality rate, selected countries, 2002 Country Incidence per 100,000 women (ASR) New Zealand 10.0 3.2 UK 8.3 3.1 Sweden 8.2 3.1 USA 7.7 2.3 Canada 7.7 2.5 Australia 6.9 1.7 Finland 4.3 1.8 Mortality per 100,000 women (ASR)
12 10 8 6 4 2 0 In Victoria 2009 Incidence Mortality 4.4 0.9 Rate per 100,000 women (age-standardised to the World Standard Population) 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Australia: cervical cancer (2008) Incidence: 600-700 new cases each year Mortality: 200-300 deaths each year Victoria (2006): 160 new cases 37 deaths
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 In Victoria Invasive squamous cell carcinoma Micro-invasive squamous cell carcinoma Other invasive morphology Rate per 100,000 women (age-standardised to the World Standard Population) 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
The cervix: squamo-columnar junction
Cervical Cancer: Histology Squamous cell cancer-66% of all new cases Adenocarcinoma-19.8% Adenosquamous carcinoma-3.2% Mixed, unknown histology -11%
Cervical screening in Australia 2008-2009 AIHW Cancer Series No 61
The Greatest impact of the National Cervical Screening Program is on Squamous cell cancer
The vast majority of cervical cancers occur in under-screened women. Screening history of Victorian women diagnosed with an invasive cervical cancer for the period 1 January 2003 and 31 December 2005 Screening History Squamous cell carcinoma Other invasive cervical cancer* Total Number % Number % Number % A. Women never screened 51 23% 73 47% 124 33% B. Women with inadequate screening C. Women with some screening history** 151 69% 50 32% 201 54% 17 8% 33 21% 50 13% Total 219 100% 156 100% 375 100% * Other cervical cancers include small cell carcinoma, mixed adenosquamous and Adenocarcinoma. ** Requires further review
What do Victorian women know about pap tests and HPV? In 2007, 1000 Victorian women; 85% ( majority) aware that pap tests 2 yearly Very few indicated when to start and stop 9.6% mentioned HPV as a factor in cervical cancer 94% aware of HPV vaccine 87% knew pap tests still needed after vaccination
Pap Smear reports in Victoria 2012 602,357 total registered pap smears 80% GPs, 5.6% by nurses (0.8% in 1996) 91.4% negative 6.4% squamous cell abnormality 0.8% high grade
Why it is important to ask every woman? 94.4% in 2012!
The Pap Test When to start? When to stop?
Trouble-shooting The pap smear is a screening test with inherent limitations False negative rate 15-20% Miss about 1 in 10 cancers PPV HGL 81.4%
Current status of cervical screening National Cervical Screening Program est. 1991 Current recommendations: Interval: 2 years Age range: 18-20 to 70 years, in sexually active women Screening test: conventional cytology (Pap smear) Management of abnormal smears: 2006 NHMRC Guidelines
Cancer of the cervix Caused by Human papillomavirus (HPV) Prevented by HPV vaccination and Cervical screening
HPV
Human papillomavirus Numerous types ~200 ~50 types infect genital epithelium Species specific Site specific Multi-focal infection Multi-type infection common
Transmission genital skin-to-skin or mucosa-to- mucosa contact Penetrative sexual intercourse is not a requirement for transmission Consistent condom use reduces but does not eliminate transmission
Low-risk HPV Types Includes types 6 and 11 90-95% of genital warts 10-20% LSILs
High-Risk HPV Types Mainly types 16 and 18 16 & 18 cause:70% cervical cancer worldwide and up to 80% in Australia
Natural history of HPV infection of cervix From Schiffman et al Lancet 2007; 370: 890 907
HPV and cervical cancer
Sex = HPV infection HPV Key Concepts Usually transient and asymptomatic LSIL= short term HPV infection LSIL can usually be safely monitored* Persistent infection for many years with a high risk HPV type may result in invasive cancer of the cervix Genital HPV infection is very common, cervical cancer is a rare outcome
WHY CONSIDER CHANGE TO SCREENING PROGRAM? HPV vaccination New testing technologies Liquid based technology Computer assisted image analysis HPV DNA tests
Vaccine impact on screening Average risk of invasive cervical cancer in population will decline Cost-effectiveness of existing screening programs will decline The test performance characteristics of cytology are likely to decline
Trends In High-grade Cervical Abnormalities (Histologically-confirmed) By Age 30 Proportion of Women (per 1,000 screened) 25 20 15 10 5 0 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 20 21-25 26-30 30+
WHY CONSIDER HPV SCREENING? Theoretically better suited to new low prevalence environment
HPV vs cytology RCTs Estimated cervical cancer incidence 2008
Longitudinal outcomes: HPV and cytology negative women Low risk Dillner, J. et al. Joint European Cohort Analysis. BMJ 2008;337:a1754 Copyright 2008 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.
WHERE TO FROM HERE? RESEARCH DIRECTIONS
A JOINT INITIATIVE OF THE VICTORIAN CYTOLOGY SERVICE ANDTHE UNIVERSITY OF NSW
Co-Principal Investigators A/Prof Karen Canfell A/Prof Marion Saville Chief Investigators Dr. Phil Castle Prof Ruth Salom A/Prof. Dorota Gertig (VCS) Dr. Julia Brotherton (VCS) Dr. David Wrede (RWH) Dr. Jeffery Tan (RWH) Dr. Sally Lord (CTC) Dr. Andrew Martin (CTC) A/Prof Kirsten Howard (USyd) Key Responsibilities Protocol development, review and revision. Associate Investigators Dr. Stella Heley Dr. Lara Roeske Gillian Phillips Dr. Jane Collins Sandy Anderson Jessica Darlington-Brown Others to be determined Key Responsibilities Give advice on protocol and operational aspects of trial Quality Assurance Panel Histopathology Chair: A/Prof. Annabelle Farnsworth Key Responsibilities Review histopathology slides in a blinded manner Data Safety Monitoring Board (Chair: Prof. Michael Quinn) Key Responsibilities Regularly review safety data in a blinded manner Recommend study termination if pre specified stopping criteria are met Make safety or monitoring recommendations as appropriate Scientific Advisory Committee (Chair: Prof. Bruce Armstrong) Key Responsibilities Advise on study protocol development Annual progress meetings (more frequent if required) Review pilot and main trial analysis NHMRC Clinical Trials centre Key Responsibilities Provision of randomisation mechanism Contribute to statistical aspects of protocol design Key Responsibilities Laboratory Management GP Recruitment Participant recruitment Implement linkage to VCCR & NVPR Key Responsibilities Lead protocol design Data management Lead data analysis and write-up
Why another primary HPV RCT? Evaluate primary HPV in partially vaccinated population using updated testing technology More focus on optimal management of HPV positive women Specific evaluation of safety, effectiveness and costs in Australian context Pragmatic trial/demonstration of concept
Key elements Women aged 25-64 years recruited through primary care practices in Victoria 6-yearly HPV screening (with safety monitoring) Consenting women will have LBC sample taken, with laboratory-based randomization Management of follow-up via VCCR Active recall for rescreening prior to six years
Staged trial outcomes Pilot, baseline round, sub-studies, longitudinal follow-up Primary effectiveness endpoint based on cumulative detection of confirmed CIN3 in screen-negative women at 6 years in each arm Laboratory processing times/volumes and feasibility (from pilot) Impact on referral and treatment rates (from pilot/baseline) Cost/ referral rates contribute to cost-effectiveness assessment (pilot) Safety (3-yearly follow-up) Effectiveness (inc cross-sectional sens/spec from pilot/baseline) Organisation of screening (compliance with longer intervals) Acceptability to women (QoL/utilities sub-studies) Acceptability to practitioners (focus groups)
Quiz for Nurses
When is an HPV test Medicare rebateable?
When is an HPV test Medicare rebate-able? After biopsy-confirmed HSIL (CIN 2; CIN 3) Do first test 12 months after treatment Medicare will pay for 2 tests in a 2 year period Keep doing them until you have Pap and HPV tests negative for 2 years in a row
The HPV Test-rationale Cervical cancer develops in the presence of persistent HPV infection with high-risk HPV A negative HPV test very accurately predicts the absence of high-risk HPV Allows large number of low-risk women (n 250,000) with treated abnormalities to return to the usual screening interval
Trouble shooting The unsatisfactory pap smear report. may leave you feeling unsatisfactory About 2.9% of all pap smears
Causes of an Unsatisfactory Pap Report Blood or mucus Inflammatory cells Atrophy Cytolysis Eversion/ectropion Pregnancy/post-partum Contamination Stenosis
Basic management Unsatisfactory Pap Reports Wait 2-3 months before repeating the pap Consider LBC Discuss with Liaison Physician VCS 92500300
Pap smears and the Pregnant woman Preferable to defer Wait till at least 3 months post partum Eversion, inflammatory exudate and bleeding all more common No definitive treatment of HGL Colposcopic assessment only Increased anxiety
The missing Endo-cervical Component Stay calm No need for a repeat smear Check pap smear history, appearance of the cervix and symptoms if all ok then Routine pap in 2 years Do not push/force brush higher Consider vaginal estrogen 1/8 women over 60 no EC No relationship between lack of EC and death from cervical cancer
Why may this result in an unsatisfactory smear?
Eversionor Ectropion TRANSFORMATION ZONE
Insufficient SquamousCells Atrophy Eversion/ectropion Use of wooden spatula Large amount of mucus Any of the causes of cytolysis Too little fixative or too late
The Pap Test What about sexually active women <18 years?
Why might a women in a vaccinated cohort develop cancer of cervix?
What is the best approach prior to performing the pap smear in this situation?
Atrophy and the postmenopausal woman Consider routine vaginal estrogenisation About 2 weeks of treatment No vaginal medication 48 hours prior to pap Inform and educate women and GPs Ease, comfort and improved quality of smear Consider contraindications
How would you manage this clinical finding?
Inflammatory Exudate Usually physiological Common in pregnancy and post-partum Low correlation with the presence of an STI If asymptomatic wait and rpt pap in 2-3/12 If symptomatic, abnormal cervix or significant history then test for Chlamydia Thrush a possibility BV unlikely cause Add LBC
True or False RACGP preventive guidelines the red book recommends annual Chlamydia testing of all sexually active men and women aged 15-30 in general practice
Acknowledgements Dr Stella Heley Assoc Prof Marion Saville Assoc Prof Dorota Gertig Dr Julia Brotherton